Page 36 of Broken Lands

I’m ready and aching for him all over again. The need to feel him inside of me almost driving me out of my mind.

“Do you have protection?” I asked, breathlessly, as a trickle of sense broke through my hazy lust-filled mind. I was just discovering myself and my place in the fae world. I didn’t know what I was or where I had come from—neither did Stefan, it seemed. Now was not the time to take risks.

“I’m not sure what you mean by protection. Fae are immune to human diseases, if that’s what you’re getting at. No fae have been conceived here on Earth, and intention is required when we reproduce,” he stated, an eyebrow raised in question. If any of the men back home had tried a line like that on me, I’d have been running for the hills, but I couldn’t deny the truth radiating from Stefan. Intuition told me he spoke true.

“Great. I want you Stefan, please. I need you inside of me.” I purred, watching as heat flared in his eyes.

“Your wish is my command,” he said, some of his usual snark sneaking back into his tone, making me giggle as he leant down to kiss me again. He lined himself up with my entry and pressed forward, gliding slowly inside, filling me to the hilt. He stilled for a moment while I adjusted to the size of him. Ecstasy filled every fiber of my being as he moved inside of me.

I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pumped in and out, his movements becoming faster, more frantic as he chased his release, my own beginning to build again. He lowered his head, forehead resting against mine as I cried out, my climax reaching its peak again. Lights flared across my vision with the force of it, my body vibrating as waves after waves of pleasure rolled through me. With a few more thrusts, Stefan moaned my name as he found his own release before collapsing on top of me.

We laid still for a moment, panting as we caught our breath. Stefan rolled to the side, pulling me into him with my back against his chest, spooning me as he wiggled us under the covers. An orange glow flickered on the walls as the fire guttered, the room still warm and soothing.

Contentment like I’d never felt before settled in my chest. I was safe, warm, and cared for. Stefan came with baggage twin to my own and that made me feel more understood than I ever had before. Somewhere deep down, I knew I’d found my person—or at least one of them. I nuzzled into his arm, letting his scent envelope me as I drifted off, finally calm after a night full of twists and turns.

“Rest now, little dove.” Stefan whispered, placing a kiss on my hair as sleep beckoned to me, swiftly pulling me under.

Chapter nineteen

Riley

Softmorninglightpouredthrough the open window, gently stirring me from my slumber. I rolled over, groaning as my muscles protested the movement. My entire body was aching and tender. Most of the hurt came from the fight at B station, though some of it most definitely came from my time with Stefan last night.

Smiling, I propped myself up on one elbow, taking a moment to really look at the beautiful fae still lying in the bed beside me. His eyes were closed, the lines and angles of his face relaxed in sleep. His pink hair was mussed, far from the perfectly styled mohawk he usually sported, and bright against the pale white of my sheets. Sheets that were draped only across the bottom half of him, revealing his chiseled chest and defined abs.

Memories of what we did last night, of his mouth on my skin and his hands roaming every inch of my body, flood through me. A fresh wave of desire makes my core molten, beginning to ache with need. I’d been involved with men before; but I’d never wanted them the way I wanted Stefan. They had been a means to an end. I took what I needed and none of them complained when I didn’t ask for anything more.

It was different with Stefan. I wanted more. I wanted to be around him day and night. I wanted to get to know him and to see if we could build something together. I felt drawn to him in a way I couldn’t quite explain, like there was an invisible band tying us together, tugging us ever closer. I’d felt it grow stronger and stronger in the short time we’d known each other, and I had to wonder how deep my feelings could grow if we were given the time to explore them.

The smile on my face firmly set in place. I gently pulled the sheet off my body and slid my legs over the edge of the bed as quietly as possible. It was still early. I didn’t need to wake Stefan yet, and I definitely needed some time to sort out my own thoughts and feelings.

Standing, I circled the bed, my bare feet padding gently across the cool wooden floor. The fire had burnt out while we slept last night; the warmth overtaken by a cooler air in the early hours of the morning. I gathered my robe from where I’d tossed it on the floor last night as I made my way to my bathroom.

Making a beeline for my closet and tossing my robe in the basket, I grabbed a fresh uniform from its hanger. I dressed quickly before moving to the vanity and inspecting myself in the mirror. After everything last night had entailed, from the attack to Stefan’s revelation and our intimacy, I was almost surprised to see the same familiar face looking back at me.

I felt different. Discovering my magic, healing Amy, being with Stefan. Those things had all made me feel so far removed from the Riley that had walked into Danann last week. It was a positive change, mostly. But my eyes were still the same hazel they’d always been, my complexion still a light olive, my nose still slightly upturned in what I’d always imagined being a cute pixie look.

I sighed to myself as I braided my hair. The changes had been on the inside, down to the very core of my being. It made sense that there wasn’t any sign of it on the outside. At least James would recognize me, if I ever found him.

Guilt flooded through me at the thought, leaving me unsteady and shaking. I sat on the edge of the bath to stabilize myself. Since I’d arrived here, I’d done nothing to find him. Nothing at all. Instead of looking for some clue where he might be and what happened to him, I’d spent last night having dinner with the fae General and then having sex with Stefan.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I blinked against the burn, causing them to spill over the lids and flow down my cheeks. I let them come, let them pour as I stifled my sobs.

Gods, I needed this release. Needed to let it out so I could refocus. Despite having a cry last night, I found there was more. I couldn’t continue this way. If I did, I’d end up resenting everyone around me, including myself. I didn’t want that. I wanted to find my brother and make a new life for ourselves. If I possess the elements, maybe he does too. Maybe we could work it out together.

The bathroom door opened suddenly, and Stefan appeared in the frame. He was still shirtless, but had taken the time to pull his pants back on. I wiped at my face, trying to hide the evidence of the pity party I’d been having for myself. I shouldn’t have bothered. He could see right through me.

All it took was one glance at me and he was striding across the room, lifting me from where I was sitting on the tub and pulling me into his arms and down into his lap, right there on the bathroom floor.

“Shush, little dove. What’s wrong?” He asked, his gentle voice soothing as he stroked my hair, one arm still wrapped tightly around me.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed, unable to stop the tears now I’d let them flow. “I’m a mess.” His hand left my hair as he drew gentle circles on my back.

“We’re all a little messed up.” He said, a flicker of humor in his tone. “Join the club.”

I barked a laugh, sniffling and wiping at my cheeks again as I glanced up at him. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips; though his silver eyes were still heavy with concern.

“Tell me what’s bothering you, Riley.” He kissed the top of my head, his fingers still tracing patterns along my spine.

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